Improved mode of treating auriferous and argentiferous ores



J. H. R-AE. I MODE 0F TREATING AURIFEROUS AND ARGENTIFEROUS ORES.

D- 61,866 Patented Feb. 5, 1867.

. cyan ide of potassi um.

UNITED ST TES PATENT OFFICE.

,llllfllt) ll. RAE, ('ll HYRQUPI'SE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED MODE 0F 'l'REATlNG AURIFEROUS AND ARGENTtfl-IROUS ORES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 6!,866, dated l ohruary 5, 1367.

To all (rim/1t f/ 11mg con/own..-

3e it known that l, JULIO ll. RAE, of Syra- (-use, in the county of Onondaga and Sta-tent New York, have invented a new and useful Lmprovemont: in 'lh'oating Auriforous and ,-'\i-ge11tife1'( t1s ()ros; and I do herehy declare that; the following is a full, clear, and exact destnription thereof, which will onahle those skilled in the art. to make and use the same,

reference heing: had to the accompanying dtawing, forming part of this spocifimtion, in which-- Figure t represents a transverse vertical central section of the appt-tratus which may he used in carryingoutthis invention.

l -igure :3 is a plan o't-op view of the same. Similar letters of 1 hence in hoth views indicate eorrcs'pondil'tg parts.

This invent-ion oonsis s in treating auriferous and argentiferous ores with a current of electricity or galvanism for the purpose of separating the precious metals from the gang'ue. In connection with the electric current suitable liquids or chemical proparations, such, for instance, as cyanide of potassium, are used, in such a manner that by the emnhined action of the eh-w-trieity and of the chemicals, the metal containet'l in the ore is first ret'lucet'l to a state of solution and after- \Yfi-ltlS collectedand t'le ositet'l in a pure state, and that the precious metals can he extracted from tho disintegrated ock or ore at a very small expense and with little tronhlo or loss of time.

In carrying ont this process a. jar, A, may he used, such as shown in thodrawing'. 'lhis jar is made of glass'or other suitahlo material, (the size depent'ling upon the electric battery to he used in connection therewith) and into said jar is placed the pulverized rock, tilting tho same half full or more. On

the, rock is poured tho prtilpor chomical prop aration in a tlnid state, such, for instance, as 'lhroug'h the centorot the jar passes a vertical shaft, (f, which terminates upon a metal plate, u, by preference 1 of platina, which rests on the bottom of the jar, and to said shaft is attached a cage, B, of

precious metals are deposited.

pulley, E, which may he ctmneotct'l with-any suitable mechanism for the purpose of imparting a rotary motion to said shaft and the cage connect-ed therewith, so that the contents of the jar will he agitated and each particle of the pulverized rock shall come in contact with the metal cage 13 and plate (1. The

sha'ft is connected hy a wire, 1), with ono, say the positive pole of tho hat-t er), thus converting the shaft, t-ho cage, and the plate a into an electrode, and the other or negative poleof the battery connects by a wire, a, with a thin slip or coil, (1, of copper or other suitable material, forming a base on which the By the action of the electric enrrent the action of the chemicals on the metals contained in the rock is materiall facilitated and a perfect solution thereof is effected, and from this solution the jn-et-imis metals are pre -ipitated upon the base (I, whence the same can be easily collected, By this proeess'gold or silver can he extracted from rock in an ahsolutel pure stateand with very little expense.

What. I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. .The withinalescrihed procossot' treating auriforous or argontiferous rock, by exposing the same to the combined action of a current of electricity and of so i tahle solvents or chemicals, substantiallysuch as herein speeified,0r an v others which will produce the same effect.

2. Separating gold orsilver from the rocks containing the same by the action or aid of electricity, suhstantially as described.

It. l'sing' the agitator I; as an electrode, so to slant tally as and tot-the purpose set forth.

JULIO H. RAE.

Witnesses:

W. HAUFF,

- GEo. F. SOUTHERN; 

